The Querrey's QUEST: 10/04/2011 GETTING BACK INTO THE SWING OF THINGS AFTER OUR SUMMER BREAK IN VERMONT

TUESDAY

It was a short summer but still it seems like ages since I have communicated on our blog. Bear with me as I get back into the routine and hit a few of the summer’s high spots.

Mike Wraga and Dave Powers did their magic on Quest by installing new Corian counters in the kitchen and heads. That also entailed new sinks, faucets and galley table. They made a beautiful wine rack and shelves that fit nicely into the empty space that once housed the nearly 30 year old ice maker. Thanks guys!

WINE RACK AND SHELVING

NEW GALLEY CORIAN, SINK, COOK TOP AND CHOPPING BLOCK

Shoreham Upholstery did a wonderful job recovering the banquette cushions, pilot house bench and bow seat. He made us some deck lounging cushions too. What a find he was! We also found Andre in Orwell to refinish the pilot house floor and the doors and jambs there and in the salon. Boy do they look slick!

DAN'S NEW PERCH IN THE PILOT HOUSE

I JUST LOVE THIS NEW UPHOLSTERY IN THE GALLEY

Dan is in the process of installing screen doors in the pilot house. He got the salon one done during the Friday night work night in Whitehall. How nice will that be in discouraging those awful green eyed flies and mosquitoes?

While Vermont took quite a hit from the tail end of Hurricane Irene, Dan and I were safely anchored in a cove just south of Fort Ticonderoga. Since Quest was a bit big for our dock at Chipman Marina and we had opted to move out to weather the storm. Returning to land, we found roads washed out, communities totally cut off and homes destroyed. Those amazing Vermonters just assessed the damage, gathered their own equipment and tools then descended upon needy neighbors and destroyed roads to begin the process of rebuilding. …..and what a job they did too!!

Even though we had planned on spending part of our summer in the Burlington area, we found that it was just too perfect at the Chipman Point Marina. This is a great stop for any “Loopers” traveling up Lake Champlain. Pat and Chip welcome you with warmth, offer pump-outs, have a washer and dryer right by the bathrooms and showers, house a great little boater’s library and treat you like one of the family. Chip has gasoline available but we had a local fuel dealer bring diesel right to the Quest. The other boaters are delightful and we look forward to our time there next summer.

Dan got his “work fix” and is as happy as I to be back piloting the Quest. He spent many long hours working this summer. Along with the everyday tasks he traveled out of state for a couple of jobs, worked many weekends, had a few all nighters, juggled manpower, soothed ruffles feathers and finally said “Uncle, I have had enough for now”.

We bid farewell to our summer home at Chipman Point on Friday afternoon (09/30) and transited the Whitehall Lock before tying up to the wall for the night. We are towing the 16’ fishing boat behind this year. Craig and Alexis made the short trip with us and, since they are “old hands” at this, offered much assistance. Mike and Dave spent the evening with us finishing up a few tasks on Quest then Ed and Nance joined us before sun up on Saturday morning to begin our long day to Waterford. We managed to make it through all the Champlain Canal locks, leaving only the Federal Lock for Sunday. Of course, Saturday had to be the cold and rainy day of the trip. We alternated from standing in the rain while locking through the 10 locks of the day and then trying to get warm before the next lock. Ed and Nance were real troopers and took to this boating thing like a duck to water. Nance’s mom and dad were at two of the locks to wave us through and even brought us some yummy treats for our journey.

ALEXIS ENJOYING THE VIEW AFTER FIXING US A GREAT LUNCH

THE LITTLE BOAT TRAILING ALONG BEHIND QUEST

ED MAKING SURE WE WOULD PASS UNDER THE LOW BRIDGE

NANCE'S MOM AND DAD WERE THERE TO GREET US AND PASS ON SOME TREATS

Waterford was hit hard by the flooding caused by Irene but has done a marvelous job with the clean up. The docks were open but no power or water was available. Be sure to stop there if at all possible.

Sunday morning we transited the Federal Lock then made tracks south through the lovely Hudson River. The weather was much more cooperative and we even ventured out on the deck to enjoy the sights. Lucky us, Sunday night we found an Italian Festival when we docked at the Roundout Yacht Basin in Kingston. Monday we made it to anchor just south of Half Moon Bay Marina and enjoyed a peaceful night gently bobbing in the river. Tuesday brought us all the way to New York City where we docked at Liberty Landing Marina after a quick salute to Lady Liberty. You never get tired of taking in her majestic presence. After settling in we took the water taxi across the river to the city and had a great dinner at Les Halles on Park Avenue with “Waiter Tim” showering us with attentive service and wealth of celebrity gossip. He introduced us to the owner, Philippe Lajaunie, and we chatted about the “Loop” trip. He is engaged in the process of traveling the route in broken segments and was eager to hear our reports and recommendations.